The Norda 001A Trail Runner (men’s/women’s) is considered a niche, premium choice among trail runners but seems to be gaining popularity and, based on recent survey data, is already emerging among Pacific Crest Trail hikers.
Featuring the first seamless Dyneema upper and Vibram sole, the Canadian brand promises unmatched comfort, performance, and durability.
After being a loyal Altra user for almost ten years and being disappointed by the decline in quality and very short life of the latest models, I connected with new brands in search of comfortable, comfortable, and durable trail runners.
I picked up the Norda 001A after a friend recommended it to me from a Te Araroa hike, swearing by its strength and durability. The promise of 1,000+ miles (1,600+ km) of hiking in one pair of shoes convinced me to accept the high price tag, and off I went to test them out on the trail.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Norda 001A Trail Runner (men’s/women’s).
Good and bad
+ Medium Strength: Arnitel TPEE foam resists compression and retains energy return longer than conventional EVA.
+ Strength Strength: The seamless, bio-based Dyneema upper resists abrasion from rock and debris.
+ Outsole traction: Vibram Megagrip with 5 mm lugs provides grip on wet and loose surfaces.
+ Weight Loss: Vibram Litebase technology reduces the weight of the rubber outsole by 30%.
+ Foot Safety: Gusseted inner bootie and eTPU insole prevents the foot from slipping inside the shoe.
– Flexibility: The woven Dyneema fabric does not stretch or conform to the shape of the feet.
– Size: The inner dimensions require 0.5 to 1 full size for normal toe splay.
– Maintaining Moisture: The dense weave and internal gusset structure extend drying time when full.
– Heel Collar Friction: The strong back pull tab design causes direct pressure and friction against the Achilles tendon.
– Cost: MSRP is $295 USD.
Evaluation Criteria
I used the Norda 001A on a nine-day GR20 tour in Corsica.
After about 112 mi / 180 km of almost 100,000 ft / 30,500 m of vertical change increasing in rough and rocky terrain (with several large sections of the walk covered in snow), this is my first reliable sight of the shoe.
Norda 001A Details
In Norda’s own words, the 001A is “a high-end shoe with a seamless Dyneema® outsole, custom Arnitel® midsole and bespoke Vibram® soleplate for unmatched performance and high-end durability.”
- Weight: 9.45 oz / 268g (US 8.5) / 11.11 oz / 315 g (US 10.5)
- Stack Height: 26mm (Heel) / 21mm (Forefoot)
- Falling of the toes: 5 mm
- Top: Bio-based Woven Dyneema (Seamless)
- Midsole: Arnitel TPEE Foam (70% rebound strength)
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase with 5mm lugs
- Sole: Custom high-rebound eTPU
- Land closure: Norda Lock System with Dyneema ropes
- Visibility: 360° location details
- Colors: Stealth Black, White Gum, Black Cinder, Astral Sky, Loam, Pewter, Fireclay, Horizon, Abyss
- MSRP: $295 USD
Photo Gallery
Good
Comfort
I loved the overall feel of the Norda 001A under my feet. On rocky terrain, I tend to want more flex, but the 001A struck a great balance between cushioning and ground feel. Even after a long day of hiking, the shoe never felt tight or restrictive, and my feet didn’t hurt from all the stepping on the rocks.
Weight
The 001A has upper laces made of Dyneema, the lightest and strongest fabric in the world, and the shoe weighs 9.45 oz / 268 g (US 8.5) / 11.11 oz / 315 g (US 10.5); that is per shoe, not per pair. The shoe feels very light all around, but it’s stable, precise, and supportive.
The Grip
The sole of the Norda 001A features Vibram MegaGrip rubber. It provides good grip in various terrains and conditions: paddling on rocky rocks, hiking on dusty trails, crossing streams on wet rocks, and even traversing snow fields.
Strength
Although I used the shoe for a little more than 100 mi/160 km, the hard resistance of the upper and sole seems to live up to the hype. While my partner tore holes in his (also) new shoes and ate up the stairs a lot, the 001A’s were a little worn around the edges, with no signs of wear on the upper or sole, or any change in feel.
The Okay
Foot Box Width
When I first tried on the Norda 001A in the store, my first thought was that the toe box wasn’t as roomy as I expected.
Despite the initial slight disappointment, the toe box always felt wide enough for my not-so-wide foot while hiking. Norda doesn’t offer a wide version of the shoe, but says, “The 001A accommodates wide forefoot feet thanks to its anatomical toe box. Although it wouldn’t be classified as a ‘wide’ shoe, many runners with slightly wider feet find it comfortable.”
If you have feet that are above the “minimum width,” this can be very bothersome.
Bad
I Heel Cup Inseam
The biggest disappointment of the Norda 001A was the rough stitching on the inside of the heel cup. It rubbed on my Achilles from day one, starting as a minor irritation but quickly growing into a painful problem.
I expected the discomfort to subside after a few days, but instead it continued and worsened, eventually causing cuts to the skin and forcing me to apply a Band-Aid to the affected area. Online, other users are reporting the same problem, and it sounds like, if it ever does crack, it will take a very long time.
While I loved everything else about the fit and feel of the shoes, if I hadn’t paid so much for them, I probably would have given up on this non-trivial issue.
It’s Dry Time
Norda says “standard 001A is water resistant. Dyneema® is hydrophobic and doesn’t absorb water, but the woven construction allows for airflow and drainage.”
Based on this premise, I expected the 001A to dry faster than other trail runners; however, I found that they took a very long time to dry after being completely soaked during a river crossing or soaked from walking on wet snow all day. Inside the shoe, under the Dyneema upper, there is a “padded structure” around the middle and front of the foot that seems to soak up a lot of water and prevent the shoe and socks from drying out too quickly.
Price
Norda’s shoe sticker shock is real. At $295, the Norda 001A is more expensive than most trail runners.
That said, the idea is that when you factor in how long the shoe should last, the total cost per wear is lower than that of traditional runners. Still, it’s probably a harder pill to swallow than something you know you’ll eventually throw away.
Other popular methods
The decision
The Norda 001A earns its reputation in many important ways: comfort, grip, weight, and durability all really impress on the road. Wide-footed wearers may want to try it out first, and slow drying time may be an issue if you’re crossing water frequently or using this on snow.
The seam of the heel cup is one problem that is difficult to look past, causing real discomfort that did not improve much over time. All in all, it’s not an inexpensive gamble, but for those who find it worth it, it’s a capable, durable shoe that should reward the investment in the long run.
The longevity of the shoe finally pushed me to pull the trigger on the purchase. Despite the persistent heel cup problem, I plan to stick with the 001A for more than 800 mi / 1,300 km of hiking this summer. I will come back and report how they hold up over time.
Do you have questions, comments, or personal information about the Norda 001A? Leave a comment below or get in touch, and let me know!
Get your Norda 001A runners here.